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Late to the Party is a film, fashion, and pop culture podcast. Check in every Thursday to hear hosts Nikki Jensen and Bri Picone discuss the age-old question: why was the Chanel S/S 1996 runway show SO iconic? Lament about Dakota Johnson's Architectural Digest interview, and give their full thesis on why Sofia Coppola is their favorite nepo baby (and should be yours too). We are curious about why we are so collectively obsessed with film and pop culture and how it shapes us into the weirdos ...
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MFA Writers

Jared McCormack

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MFA Writers is the podcast where host Jared McCormack interviews creative writing MFA students about their program, their process, and a piece they’re working on.
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What is a Maven? A maven is an expert, sometimes a self-proclaimed one. We catch up with experts or "mavens" in their industries who do what they are passionate about, bring the hustle and light up an extraordinary spark in our world. Sometimes we eat, sometimes we drink, sometimes we do it outside, sometimes from a noisy expo hall, sometimes there is glitter, sometimes there is popcorn and sometimes we dance. But every time we talk about life and biz. We catch mavens wherever they are in th ...
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On this week's episode, Nikki gets married, Bri starts a flash mob to Cher’s Believe, we discuss Bridesmaids as a recession-core masterpiece, and get into Wicked’s wickedly prevalent marketing campaign. Listen to us on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/late-to-the-party-with-nikki-bri/id1593848890 Listen to us on Spotify: https://open.sp…
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Rone Shavers joins Jared for our annual application episode to discuss the differences between MFA and PhD applications and programs. Rone and Jared talk about how to choose the right program, put together the best application, and get the most out of your time in a program. Before that, they discuss Rone’s “funky” novel Silverfish and how getting …
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Join us as we spend an hour unpacking the 2002 film, The Hours. We discuss the iconic Nicole Kidman Oscar win (by a nose!), Julianne Moore's stellar performance as a repressed housewife, kissing Toni Collette, the Phillip Glass score, Meryl Streep's Clarissa as a autumn style icon, Ed Harris giving Angels in America, Virginia Wolff's Mrs. Dalloway,…
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Today we discuss our new tv obsessions, The Penguin and Nobody Wants This, review Joker: Folie a Deux, and share our hot takes on Sweet Home Alabama. We also give first impressions on Charli XCX's new album, Brat but it's completely different, Bri’s pasta sauce journey, and more. Listen to us on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/late-to-…
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The leaves are turning, the pumpkin spice lattes are brewing, and that means the MFA applicants are revising and re-revising their personal statements. To celebrate the arrival of fall, we’re bringing you last season’s (super informative) application episode. Stay tuned for a new episode in your feed soon.Happy MFA Application Season to all who cel…
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Did Patrick Bateman invent the everything shower? Today we are discussing American Psycho. Digressions include: envisioning an alternate universe with Leo DiCaprio, Sigma Males and Wall Street Bros, the babygirl-ification of Patrick Bateman, Huey Lewis and the News, misreading Fight Club and more. Listen to us on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/u…
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MG David Doyle, 4ID Commanding General, and Command Sergeant Major Alex Kupratty join the Season 3 podcast team for their season debut to discuss human capital management, organizational culture, and preparing for multi-domain operations. They also discuss 4ID’s upcoming MDO Symposium – for more information go to https://qrcc.io/sjeyouwlcfqa.…
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Who matches Stu Macher's freak? This week we revisit the iconic 1996 horror classic, Scream. Digressions include Sydney Prescott's generational trauma, Gale Weathers being that girl, why Halloween (1978) is a feminist film, the Nancy Grace-ification of news media, cyber cafe aesthetics, and bad 90s hairstyles. Listen to us on Apple: https://podcast…
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Carlee Jensen reflects on how the American West and constructions of personal mythology shaped her writing, and how coming out “late” taught her that life has no single narrative. She also tells Jared why she avoided MFA application resources before submitting her materials, how the MFA helped her refocus on writing as an art, not just a profession…
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Today, we are sinking our teeth in all things vampires, from the iconic True Blood Rolling Stone cover to the Twilight saga's cultural impact. Digressions include: the vampire aesthetic, True Blood's queer representation and how the 2008 political landscape informed the series, Buffy's insane fanfics, the Vampire Diaries' love triangle that had us …
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This week we're doing a deep dive on the 1995 cult fashion classic, Party Girl and discussing the underrated (and short-lived) High Fidelity tv show. Digressions include: finding yourself through the Dewey Decimal system, the impeccable fashion of Parker Posey's Mary, The Nanny connections, Zoe Kravitz's cool girl persona, the irresistible charm of…
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On this episode, Jonny Teklit sits down with Jared to talk about crafting odes to small, granular subjects, sharing his personal productivity tips and the common writing advice that doesn’t work for him. Plus, Jonny discusses the pros and cons of UW-Madison’s rotating genre admissions policy and reflects on how Lynda Barry’s comics class changed hi…
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We met Sofia Coppola, soaked in the energy of the city during NYFW, and had a revelation about KT Tunstall’s Suddenly I See in relation to The Devil Wears Prada. Digressions include: The Bell Jar, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Angelina Jolie in Maria, and The Dare’s divisive new album. Listen to us on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/late-to…
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Dr. Nick Prime, Associate Professor at the School of Advanced Military Studies focuses on the maritime domain and the impacts of Naval theorists such as Alfred Mahan, Julian Corbett, JC Wylie, and Bernard Brodie as they relate to strategy and operational art. Henry Eccles: Logistics in the National Defense https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/292793…
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On today’s episode, we get into the Oasis reunion, recap our birthday karaoke celebration, and channel our inner Nicole Kidman AMC ad to discuss the joys of the movie theater. We also discuss Zoe Kravitz’s directorial debut in Blink Twice, Josh Harnett in M. Night Shyamalan's Trap, Blake Lively’s It Ends with Us controversy, Addison Rae, the high c…
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It’s not quite Halloween, but on this episode, Emma Allman talks to Jared about the utility of defamiliarization, surrealism, uncanniness, and body horror in ecofiction (spooky!). Plus, she discusses how working in marketing pre-MFA helped her understand professionalism and realism in academia, life in Tuscaloosa as it aligns with and diverges from…
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This week we are yapping about 80s dance films. We break down the town politics in Footloose, Adrian Lyne’s Flashdance creating the MTV aesthetic, Jennifer Beals’ iconic fashion, Patrick Swayze’s dirty dancing, the Dirty Dancing to Gilmore Girls to High School Musical pipeline, and why these films are timeless classics. We also dive into Sabrina Ca…
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Today we dive deep into the iconic 90s film Reality Bites. Join us as we explore themes of selling out, the allure of a bohemian lifestyle, and the challenges of navigating your twenties. We'll discuss the iconic performances of Winona Ryder and Ethan Hawke, the relatable struggles of avoiding day jobs, and the Lisa Loeb banger, Stay (I Miss You). …
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As the pod team settles into the fall semester, we’re excited to celebrate the recent accomplishment of one of our past guests. Simon Graham was awarded an AWP Intro Journals Prize for their story “Blair,” forthcoming in Puerto del Sol. Enjoy our conversation with Simon from Season 3. How do you write about the climate crisis without becoming didac…
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Ever wondered Bennifer in the 2000s were like? Well, Nikki and Bri are here to give you a hilarious, chaotic, and somewhat insightful take on it. This week, we dive into the infamous 2003 film "Gigli," starring Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. We discuss everything from the film's confusing tones to its questionable dialogue and even its surprising …
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In today's episode we speak with Lt Col Amos Fox about attrition as an effect of war, not as a type of war, and why there doesn't appear to be any "modern" military theorists. Article Discussed: https://warontherocks.com/2024/01/setting-the-record-straight-on-attrition/ Suggestions for Additional Listening/Reading:Thinking In Systems: A Primer: Don…
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Let's talk Lilith Fair! We're diving deep into the iconic festival that defined a generation. From the powerhouse lineups of the '90s to the controversial reboot, we're breaking down the highs and lows. Join us as we reminisce, analyze, and passionately argue for a Lilith Fair revival in 2024 (hello, Chappell Roan). Listen to us on Apple: https://p…
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Following Venezuela’s disputed presidential election, debut author Alejandro Puyana returns to the show to discuss his novel, which explores the revolutionary lives of both ordinary and extraordinary Venezuelans over the span of fifty years. He also shares insights with Jared about the rewrites he made to his MFA thesis before publication, the expe…
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This week we are yapping about the Brat-ification of Kamala Harris, Daisy Edgar-Jones’ major It Girl glow up, and identifying with Barb & Star. We also give our thoughts on Ballerina Farm, Chappell Roan’s Gaga-eque journey to stardom, Maya Hawke’s twee-inspired singing career, Katy Perry’s Woman’s World, and more. Plus, we contemplate getting bangs…
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Join us as we dissect every sequin, every ABBA classic, and every questionable singing voice. From Meryl Streep's iconic performance as Donna Sheridan to Pierce Brosnan's...interesting vocal stylings, we're covering it all. We'll explore Sophie's daddy issues, debate the best ABBA song, and wonder what exactly happened at the infamous wrap party. 0…
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Ever heard of an MFA program with 12 different genre concentrations? On this episode, Vivian (Xiao Wen) Li tells Jared about how UBC’s multi-genre emphasis allowed her to work across fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, filmmaking, comics, and more. Plus, she discusses self-funding her degree, receiving a grant to do research in China for he…
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This week we rewatch Girls and realize that Hannah Horvath might be the voice of a generation. We also discuss Jack Schlossberg as Vogue’s new political correspondent (and our new Tiktok obsession), dive into Lorde’s Melodrama and the unhinged Jack Antonoff powerpoint, Gracie Abram’s The Secret of Us and why she is giving Lilith Fair, and a dissect…
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We unpack Lana Del Rey's Born to Die album, predict a potential 2010s Coachella core revival, and analyze Lana's signature Americana aesthetic. We'll also dish on our favorite unreleased tracks, explore her David Lynchian undercurrents, and dissect the unhinged (iconic) monologue from the "Ride" music video. 00:00 – Coachella Core Predictions 05:27…
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In this episode we discuss the role of a commander integrating the staff solvingcomplex problems, fostering collaborative organizations, and utilizingcomponents two and three with Lieutenant General Jon Jensen, director of the ArmyNational Guard.Book Recommendations: If You Survive: From Normandy to the Battle of the Bulge to the End of World War I…
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This week we're diving headfirst into the luxurious, satirical world of HBO's hit series, The White Lotus. Joining us is super fan (and Nikki’s fiancé) Ben Scott to dissect the show's exploration of wealth, privilege, and the simmering resentment that lurks beneath the surface. We also get into the addictive theme song, relating to Murray Bartlett’…
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Today we revisit Catwoman (2004). We sink our claws into the movie that derailed Halle Berry’s post-Oscar career, gave us a very campy Sharon Stone performance, and has plagued our thoughts since childhood. We'll discuss Halle Berry's unhinged portrayal of the feline superheroine, the film's ahead-of-its-time commentary on the beauty industry, and …
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As the pod team wraps up our summer vacation, we’re highlighting one of the gems from a previous season. Watch out for the Season 5 premiere in two weeks.On this episode, Nikki Lyssy tells Jared about how, as a blind writer, she uses research to access the sighted world and fill her fiction with vivid imagery, while in her nonfiction, she explores …
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The pod team is still on vacation! In the mountains! Without recording equipment! The Season 5 premiere will be in your feed soon. Until then, enjoy this conversation with Maurice Carlos Ruffin, author of three books and faculty member twice over.Maurice Carlos Ruffin, author and faculty member at two MFA programs, joins Jared for this special epis…
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This week we are channeling our inner Brat - we’re so Julia! Topics discussed: Charli XCX’s genius new album, the Brat Girl Summer starter pack, Chappell Roan’s meteoric rise to fame, Justin Timberlake’s cringe-worthy arrest, Ayo Edebri proving that she is the coolest girl in Hollywood in Bottoms, sharing our mutual adoration for Lana Del Rey with …
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We dive into the bizarre world of Sofia Coppola's 2013 film, The Bling Ring, unpacking the real-life crimes of a teenage Hollywood burglary crew. We'll explore the flashy lifestyle they craved, the role of celebrity obsession in their motives, and how Tumblr's early 2010s aesthetic fueled our fascination. Topics discussed: the audacity of the Bling…
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In this Episode we have a discussion with Major General David Doyle, US Army, Discuss challenges and opportunities in leading a division emphasizing training, multi-domain operations, and operational art. This Kind of War: A Study in Unpreparedness, T.R. Fehrenbachhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/118690.This_Kind_of_WarCausality: Models, Reasoni…
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Is she a Quirky Muse or a Flat Character? Today we are diving headfirst into the world of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. We'll unpack the origins of the trope, coined by film critic Nathan Rabin in his review of "Elizabethtown" (remember Kirsten Dunst's airport twirling?), and explore its evolution through Zooey Deschanel's rise to fame. We'll discuss…
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Are we living in The Truman Show? This week, we discuss The Truman Show. We unpack Jim Carrey's performance, question social media ethics, and get into Ed Harris' Cristof as a lowkey style icon. 00:00 – This Movie is F’d Up 15:40 – 90s Trends 29:18 – Social Media is for Teenagers, Not Kids 35:02 – Thoughts on Jim Carrey 45:18 – Truman Starts to Cat…
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The podcast team is on vacation! In the meantime, we invite you to listen to one of our favorite episodes from Season 3. Wishing you all a great summer, friends. As the editor-in-chief of Peach Mag, Rachelle Toarmino is consistently focused on the work of others. She chats with Jared about her own writing career, including finding and using playful…
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This week, we debrief on all things pop culture. Topics discussed include: Romy Mars’ debut single, the struggle for Chappell Roan tickets, Olivia Rodrigo’s DIY Carrie Bradshaw-inspired tour tanks, seeing Hozier in concert, Charli XCX’s insane It Girl cameos in her 360 music video, and Anne Hathaway’s The Idea of You giving us One Direction fanfic …
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This week, we are joined by Anne Sullivan and Winsor Jewell of Feminine Features to discuss Sofia Coppola's Priscilla. We delve into Coppola's signature style, explore Priscilla Presley's perspective, Jacob Elordi's problematic (and hot) Elvis, and why I Will Always Love You is the perfect needledrop. (00:00) – Sofia Coppola & Chick Flicks (11:51) …
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It’s the Season 4 finale! On this episode, Eric Larsh tells Jared about writing into obsessions, whether he’s focusing exclusively on sonnets or, for the last two years, diving into a long poem about the Mojave Desert. Eric also discusses how his music compositions and editorship at Portland Review inform his poetry, deciding between a graduate deg…
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We discuss Luca Guadagnino’s latest film, Challengers! We get into the steamy love triangle between Tashi, Art, and the enigmatic Patrick (played by Josh O'Connor). Plus, we obsess over Zendaya's immaculate method dressing on the press tour, courtesy of powerhouse stylist Law Roach and Loewe. We'll also unpack the internet's obsession with the "I T…
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In this episode, the team discusses the importance of narrative, operational art, and the role of museums in military professional development with Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Nikki Dean. Ms. Dean is a military history interpreter at the World War I Museum located in Kansas City, MO. Reading SuggestionsWayne Sandholtz: Prohibiting Plunder https://…
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This week's Late to the Party is a fashion heist! We dissected the iconic Met Gala moments & dive into Ocean's 8's stylish plan. Topics include: Cate Blanchett's velvet suits, the 2024 Met Gala theme "The Garden of Time", Jojo Siwa's iconic Call Her Daddy interview, Rihanna as the patron saint of the Met Gala, and more (00:00) – Decoding the Met Ga…
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Former stand-up comedian Max Delsohn sits down with Jared to talk about how humor and detailed line-level revision show up in his work for the stage and the page. Plus, he discusses a pleasure-forward writing process, switching MFA programs after the first year, and his experiences with big-name faculty like George Saunders and Mary Karr. Max Delso…
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Did Anyone but You breathe new life into the rom-com genre? This week on Late to the Party, we delve into the film with Sam & Shelby from The Rom Complex! Join us for a deep dive into the movie's loose (and very 90s) Shakespearean adaptation. We'll unpack the classic enemies-to-lovers trope and the hilarious "fake-dating scheme gone right" storylin…
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Have we reached Taylor Swift fatigue? This week, we discuss Taylor Swift's new album, The Tortured Poets Department. We get into Matty Healy rumors, typewriters, & the Poor Things coded Fortnight (feat. Post Malone) music video. (00:00) – How do you categorize this album? (14:47) – Discussing our favorites (30:06) – Is Taylor Swift an “It Girl”? Li…
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